Times editors have handpicked 11 stories for you to enjoy. Welcome to The Weekender.

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Chinese Spy Agency Rising to Challenge the C.I.A.

The ambitious Ministry of State Security is deploying A.I. and other advanced technology to go toe-to-toe with the United States, even as the two nations try to pilfer each other’s scientific secrets.

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A New Tax on Imports and a Split From China: Trump’s 2025 Trade Agenda

Donald J. Trump plans to sharply expand his use of tariffs if he returns to power, risking disruption to the economy in an attempt to transform it.

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They’re Paid Billions to Root Out Child Labor in the U.S. Why Do They Fail?

Private auditors have failed to detect migrant children working for U.S. suppliers of Oreos, Gerber baby snacks, McDonald’s milk and many other products.

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The First Step to Get Off the Streets? A Room of His Own.

For years, Theron Truluck was living in desperate conditions in New York City, mostly on the Q train. Now he’s part of a program that prioritizes housing for people who do not have shelter.

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2023: The Year in Visual Stories and Graphics

This year, our visual stories covered a range of subjects: artificial intelligence, war in Ukraine and Gaza, the transition to cleaner energy, natural disasters and the 50th anniversary of hip-hop.

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Simpleton? Genius? Who was Tom Smothers?

He was close with John Lennon, and had a sophisticated understanding of wine, politics and literature. He only played the bumpkin onstage.

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A.I. Can Make Art That Feels Human. Whose Fault Is That?

A fake Drake/Weeknd mash-up is not a threat to our species’s culture. It’s a warning: We can’t let our imaginations shrink to machine size.

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Barbra Streisand Talks Style

“I looked different, I dressed different,” the multi-hyphenate star said in her first interview on fashion.

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Considering Dry January? Set Yourself Up for Success.

The sobriety challenge can offer a mental and physical reset, and the chance to adopt healthier habits.

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9 Predictions for How We’ll Eat in 2024

Meal-flavored cocktails, premium water and lots of snacks: Here’s what the next year holds for food and drinks.

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This Silly Museum About Crabs Has Serious Things to Say

The tiny Crab Museum in Margate, England, is gaining attention for its irreverent crustacean exhibits that also teach visitors about climate change and capitalism.

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Thanks for reading.

This edition of The Weekender was edited by Justin Porter.